I really want to rename my cat Smaug after the dragon from the Hobbit because he hoards our dog's food in addition to his own. My problem is I don't want to take him to the vet checkups and explain the reasoning behind his name because where I live there isn't a priority on education. Should I use two names for him or throw caution to the wind and call him what I want?

July 7th, 2013, 01:43 AM

rkrd

Does the cat already know his/her original name? It might confuse him for awhile.

July 7th, 2013, 08:16 AM

essjay

I know people that have a "vet" name for their pet - it might be called something really wacky on a day to day basis, but it's registered at the vet with a much more normal name. I don't know why you'd have to explain your cat's name though, surely a vet would just accept a Smaug as much as Ruby as much as Princess Flufflebottom III.

July 13th, 2013, 12:27 AM

bonnie1107

I agree with essjay -- either option should work. If you want to have an easy name for the vet, go ahead. On the other hand, while you might have to spell Smaug, I don't know why you would need to educate people about where you got it. My one question -- does it sound like "smog"? I'm not a Hobbit fan.

I did a quick search, and it looks as though a movie, Smaug might be coming out -- or -- for all I know -- is out already. In either case, you won't have to explain a thing, and it even increases the likelihood you won't have to spell it as often.

July 13th, 2013, 10:18 AM

catloverd

Seriously? It's a cat, I don't think they're going to care what you name it, if anything, they might assume your child named it. We didn't change our cats names for the vet. She did, however, ask how we came upon the name Calcifer, and we just explained that it was from the book: Howl's Moving Castle. She basically thought it was interesting and neat. They didn't even care about Mittzy's name. I'm sure they've heard worse/stranger names.

As for the pet being used to the name, not sure how true that is for cats. Our cats don't really respond to their names, but they do know when we're talking to them when we make our voices baby like/high pitch or when we're mad at them by talking in a more stern voice.

July 13th, 2013, 10:47 AM

jessicat11

I think you should just do whatever is easiest. Unless your cat is a purebred and you plan on doing cat shows or breed it, I don't think it matters if its medical records match its name. Even then I don't know anything about cat shows, so maybe not. And don't rule everyone out, your vet might be a hobbit fan, or they might not care at all what you call your cat.

My cat knows his name, but I think he thinks his name is just the word I use to mean "stop whatever you are doing right now" because I usually only say it when he's jumped on the counter or is scratching the stairs. He may think his actual name is "Here-Kitty-Kitty" because that's what I say when I actually want to pet him.

July 18th, 2013, 12:14 AM

jyoti

Well, even if education isn't a priority in your education, I hope your vet is educated! Just call him what you want, I'm sure vets are used to weird names (not that Smaug is weird, just sayin' vets probably hear a lot of weird names).